Thursday, August 30, 2012

About OPAPP

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is mandated to oversee, coordinate, and integrate the implementation of the comprehensive peace process.

Its efforts are anchored on the Aquino administration's National Security Policy focused on governance; delivery of basic services; economic reconstruction and sustainable development; and security sector reform.

OPAPP pushes for the mainstreaming of the peace process in order to gain the support of the general public to compel both the government and the armed groups to remain at the negotiating tables and forge peace agreements in the soonest possible time. This effort is a combined communication and social mobilization campaign with peace partners from various sectors, promoting projects and activities that intend to bring the peace process into the consciousness of the public.

VISIONA just and lasting peace for the nation and for all Filipinos

MISSIONTo oversee, coordinate and integrate the implementation of the comprehensive peace process

AFP Welcomes 134 New Officers

By ELENA L. ABEN

August 26, 2012, 8:30pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed to its ranks 134 newly commissioned officers from the Army, Air Force, and Navy who recently finished the “Pre-Entry Courses for Officers.”

AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said the 134 newly commissioned officers include 33 cadets from the Philippine Army Officer Candidate Course (PAOCS), 57 from the Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School (PAFOCS), and 44 from the Naval Officers Candidate Course (NOCC) who successfully completed their one-year of training as candidate officers of the armed forces.

Gazmin, Dellosa, and the Major Service commanders also facilitated the awarding of the Secretary of National Defense Saber, the CSAFP Medal and Plaque, and the Major Service Commander and Flag Officer, and Command Awards to the top graduates of each class.

During the ceremony, the Adjutant General, Brigadier General Rolando B. Jungco read the commissionship order to the candidates, officially making them members of the regular force of the AFP.

The candidates also took their oath as commissioned officers of the AFP, followed by their induction to the Officer Candidate School Alumni Association.

The officer candidate schools established in the three Major Services train civilians and enlisted personnel who are baccalaureate degree holders to be future members of the AFP regular force.

The one-year course prepares an officer candidate with a rank of Probationary Second Lieutenant and Probationary Ensign to be mentally, physically, and emotionally fit to earn a commission as an officer in the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

In his speech during the ceremony, Gazmin quoted a message from the President and AFP Commander-in-Chief Benigno S. Aquino III, as he stated: “You carry on your shoulders the task of ensuring the rule of law not for the interest of the few but for the betterment of our people. I know that you left the private sector and joined the service, not to bask in power but to uphold the integrity but more importantly to herald hope in communities devastated by strife and misunderstanding.”

Dellosa, for his part, told the graduates: “You’ve made the choice of joining the military service, and now you are reaping the fruits of 48 weeks of hard labor. I express my congratulations for this very significant achievement in your life, along with the confidence that you will continue to follow the tradition of excellence and selfless service of the AFP.”

“The hard work that you have invested in accomplishing the pre-entry courses will surely lead to a very fulfilling opportunity to serve your country and your fellow Filipinos. I hope that you will live up to the expectations attached in your designations as new commissioned officers of the AFP,” Dellosa added.

Moro rights group condemns the death of child strafed at evacuation center

August 26, 2012: Kawagib, a Moro human rights strongly condemned the death of a four year old girl named Asmayra Usman at following alleged indiscriminate firing at late evening on August 21, 2012 by government military troops at an evacuation center in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao. The indiscriminate strafing, accordingly had brandished high powered caliber firearms, hit some makeshifts of evacuees at Mahad Nurul Ittihad Evacuation Center in Salbu, Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

A Press Release issued by Kawagib said “Asmayra, her father Arsad Mujahed Usman, 33, and her mother were sleeping at their tent in Mahad Nurul Ittihad Evacuation Center in Salbo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao when military encamped in Brgy. Bagan, Guindulungan strafed at the direction of the evacuation center which bullet hit Arsad’s left foot and goes through the stomach of Asmayra which caused her sudden death.”

Hundreds of families had been displaced following the offensives of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters – Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFF – BIFM) against Philippine Army positions last August 5, 2012.

Government forces launched continuing punitive and counter operations against the BIFF – BIFM.

“This incident is another case of extra-judicial killing, frustrated killing which is violation to human rights and international humanitarian law which states that non-combatants or civilians should not become target of the armed conflict,” Kawagib said.

Kawagib also condemned reports of stationing of government forces near civilian houses, evacuation centers and houses and Mosques in Datu Saudi and Guindlungan, saying these are “clearly non-adherence to IHL which the state signed and only endanger the lives of the civilians.”

However, the 6thInfantry Division Philippine Army, denied the allegation of Kawagib, saying the military is fully aware and adhering to IHL and ensures civilian protection in executing their responsibilities, even as it said it welcomes an investigation on this case.

KAWAGIB said it just concluded its Duyog Ramadhan: Kanduli for a Just and Lasting Peace in Mahad Nurul Ittihad before the incident happened, adding “KAWAGIB strongly believes that the only way to a just and lasting peace is by addressing the roots of the conflict, political will and sincerity, not through militarization.”

“KAWAGIB challenges the government to conduct a thorough investigation and serve justice for the victims.”

NPA paralyzes Del Monte heavy machinery

A unit of the New People's Army under the Ignacio "Eking" Balacuit Command paralyzed five of Del Monte's heavy equipment yesterday, August 7, around 7:00 PM, in Kagumahan, Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental.

Here in the region, agribusiness companies are engaged in fierce competition in amassing agricultural lands that serve as the primary source of livelihood for the great majority of the population. Del Monte, Dole and SUMIFRU, lording it over the agribusiness sector, in cahoots with the big landlords, are the most aggressive landgrabbers who seize the lands cultivated by the peasants for food crops and convert these for export crop production.

As of now, Del Monte is still in the land preparation stage of the recent expansion of its pineapple plantation in Kinoguitan, Sugbongcogon and other neighboring areas of eastern Misamis Oriental. As a policy of the state of the ruling class, in facilitating the entry of this company, the 58th IB was mobilized to launch a series of military operations against the NPA to ensure the establishment and protection of the investments of the foreign capitalists and the landlords.

With its thirst for profit, Del Monte could not care less if the people of Misamis Oriental will be mired further in poverty. The divestment of the farms of the peasants and their families will only worsen food shortage and an increase of unemployed reserve labor force in the countryside. Unfortunately, not all displaced farmers will be absorbed in the plantation workforce. And those lucky enough to get hired seasonally as contractual agricultural workers will have to contend with unfair labor terms such as insecurity of employment, the lack of benefits and hazardous working conditions.

After the great tragedy wrought upon by typhoon Sendong on the cities of Cagayan and Iligan and adjacent municipalities, NDF-Mindanao declared a moratorium on the further expansion of the agribusiness companies' plantations, censured them on their relentless exploitative and oppressive practices on the workers, farmers and Lumads and their environmentally destructive operations.

Col. Osias' empty talk about their supposedly successful defense of the interests of the ruling class who are their real bosses is clearly unbelievable. They might have, at one time, been able to thwart a plan to paralyze the equipment of Del Monte in one barrio when they encountered one NPA unit last August 2 in Ampianga, but in many barrios, it proved unachievable to deal with each of the many mobile units of the NPA. In Kagumahan, not one of their units has thwarted the NPA's mission.

The aspirations of the peasant masses to own the land they till could only be achieved through the agrarian revolution advanced by the New People's Army in the countryside. The entry of many agribusiness plantations only makes this aspiration even harder to achieve. Because of this, the peasants extended willfully their all-out support to the NPA.

Despite the strong counterrevolutionary armed forces of the ruling class, as the genuine army of the poor, the NPA is determined to oppose the expansion of the operations of these companies and will not hesitate to launch punitive actions against them. Just this month, the AFP has incurred several casualties in encounters against the NPA. Last August 15, four of their troops were killed while another two were wounded in an encounter in Labas, San Isidro, Medina, Misamis Oriental; while one was killed and one was wounded last August 12 in Purok 6, Bangbang, Medina.

At this juncture, we declare our commitment to defend the rights and welfare of the poor and the oppressed. May this serve as a general warning to the others. Moreover, we reiterate our warning to contractors not to do business or to terminate their contracts with these anti-people agribusiness companies to avoid getting entangled in the conflict.

We call on the people of the affected areas to strongly oppose the expansion plans of Del Monte, Dole, SUMIFRU and other big agribusiness companies who exploit and oppress the people, destroy the environment and aggravate the problem of food security. They should not be hoodwinked by the sugar-coated bullets of these companies' propagandists falsely envisioning comfortable lives the plantation could offer to them. Del Monte pineapple plantations have been established in Bukidnon even before the Second World War, but by looking at the conditions of the peasants and Lumads who originally owned the lands now planted with pineapple, sadly, they have remained poor, and even poorer, until now. In the same way, the sweet-talking psywar experts of the 4th ID in their Community Organizing for Peace and Development (COPD) activities are in fact poisoning the minds of the people and serve well the purpose of the agribusiness companies in winning the peoples’ consent to concede peacefully their remaining pieces of lands to big foreign and local capitalists.

Statement of MY (Moro Youth) STAND FOR PEACE IN MINDANAO on the Clashes in Marawi City and Maguindanao

Posted on Thursday, 9 August, 2012 - 18:07

Statement on the Clashes in Marawi City and MaguindanaoMY (Moro Youth) STAND FOR PEACE IN MINDANAOAugust 9, 2012

We express deep concern and value to the lives and welfare of our fellow Filipinos, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, who are in difficult situations because of the flood in Luzon particularly in the National Capital Region on one hand, and on the other hand, those who are affected by the recent armed clashes in areas in Maguindanao (as well as in North Cotabato) between the government troops and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), a rogue breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last August 5, 2012.

Moreover, we are saddened with the news that lawless elements supposedly linked to a politician in Marawi City had caused armed clashes to break out last night, August 8, 2012 in the perimeters of Mindanao State University campus, as they attacked military unit which was conducting mobile patrol in the area, which caused deaths of three soldiers and wounded civilians.

Amidst these untoward incidents, we call on sobriety. There is neither war nor martial law declared in Mindanao. The government pursues lawless elements while maintaining the ceasefire with the MILF—whose leadership since 2011 dissociated from their helm the rogue BIFM. We note that the MILF has joint cooperation and mechanisms with the government to pursue against lawless elements through the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG).

As the 30th GPH-MILF Exploratory Talks are ongoing since August 6 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where the Parties are pressed on substantive discussions to push the gains in the negotiating table, let us be vigilant that the situation on the ground and that the spoilers do not derail the peaceful means of achieving just and lasting peace in the south that aims to address the political and socio-economic conditions of communities.

Some could twist and turn the events or facts, make blame game, or engage in mere criticisms while communities suffer, let us strengthen our resolve to advance the peace process for meaningful and sustainable peace that aims to establish both genuine self-governance and good governance.

Strongly in unison of achieving peace in our time, we persist in our support to the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF which is now at the heart of peace negotiation for a political settlement of the 15 yr-old negotiation, which the Parties and partners and supporters from the civil society painstakingly worked on in order to resolve the decades-old armed conflict.

At a time of Ramadhan, a Holy Month for Muslims, we strongly oppose the attacks initiated by lawless groups who defy the Islamic values of humanitarianism and peace. #

(Through the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN), it organized the MY (Moro Youth) Stand for Peace in Mindanao which is a network of Moro youth organizations whose mission is to mobilize, empower, and unite Moro youth to become active participants in achieving peace and development in Mindanao through the peace process and developing a strong, unified Bangsamoro and Islamic Society.)

CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), General Jessie D. Dellosa was awarded the “Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan” (QMK), the highest award given to outstanding citizens of Quezon Province, yesterday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.

He was joined by fellow military officer, Brig. Gen. Nestor Amador Anonuevo, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3. They were awarded for their exceptional and meritorious achievements for government service in the military.

This year’s QMK awardees also include Maria Rhodora Perpetua Isabedra Fresnedi and Antonio Fleta for business corporate; Judge Rodoldo Obnamia Jr. for judiciary; photographer George Tapan and Rev. Msgr. Ramon Tiama for culture and arts; Engineer Renato Maza for agriculture; Lawyer Manuel Barcelona Jr. for law practice; and Buenaventura Luces for education.

General Dellosa is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Matapat Class of 1979. He was born in Bacon, Sorsogon, grew up in Lucena City, Quezon. His distinguished military career showcases his high standard of performance and standing leadership, which yielded many successes in his tour of duty both in garrison and in the frontlines. He is a recipient of numerous awards topped by Distinguished Service Star, two Wounded Personnel Medal, two Gold Cross Medal, thirty nine Military Merit Medal, six Bronze Cross Medal, Long Service Medal, Marksmanship Badge Expert,Outstanding Achievement Medal and the coveted PMA Alumni Association Incorporated Outstanding Achievement Award for Military Operations.

The QMK is the highest award given by the Province of Quezon to its model citizens for their outstanding achievements, which greatly contributed to the advancement of interest and welfare development of the province and its people. It aims to recognize the exemplary contributions of Quezonians who best exemplify the sterling qualities and virtues of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon, regardless of class, creed, and religion.

The search for QMK Awardees also hopes to inspire the public to contribute to the building of a just, humane, and better society to every Filipino. It is usually given annually on August 19, the birth anniversary of the late President Manuel L. Quezon.

Just recently, General Dellosa received the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) Presidential Award for the AFP’s disaster and relief efforts to support victims of the Typhoon Sendong that hit Northern Mindanao last year.

Dellosa received the award last July at the General Headquarters Canopy Area, here. PMA President, Oscar D. Tinio cited the AFP for its active partnership and participation with the association in carrying out emergency medical relief activities in Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, and Dumaguete City, for the victims of typhoon Sendong.

“I’m grateful and honored to be awarded this coveted medal, even more as I receive this from my fellow Quezonians who represent one of the country’s most distinguished statesmen and source of national pride, President Manuel L. Quezon,” Dellosa said.

“In return to this honorable gesture, as the Chief of Staff of your Armed Forces, I will make sure that the legacy left by President Quezon will remain burning in my heart. Together with my fellow awardees, we will continue to strive to be living inspirations and source of national pride not only for our fellow Quezonians, but for the whole Filipino nation as well.

MILF calls for more dialogues with MNLF

August 24, 2012 News: The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has called on the leaders of the various MNLF factions, especially the mainstream MNLF under Nur Misuari and the Muslimin Sema-led, for more constructive dialogues in the face of recent upsurge of violence initiated by the BIFM/BIFF, a breakaway group from the MILF.

“Let us work together for the collective interests of our people and treat organizational and personal benefit as mere poor second or third priority. Let us also separate ourselves from those whose motives are purely fired by vengeance and hatred, because ours have clear political agenda that do not only protect our rights but also of others.”

This was the statement of Muhammad Ameen, chair of the MILF Secretariat, in response to persistent reports that the BIFM/BIFF are getting support from some politicians and other rebel groups in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

Ameen described the BIFM/BIFF as a force incapable of protracted warfare, citing their lack of popular support and their radical ways.

“They are now starting to kill civilians and loot their properties,” he said, adding that these are menu for terrorism.

During the harassment of an Army detachment in Pikit proper Thursday night, one civilian, a certain Anwar Langalen, was summarily executed by the BIFM/BIFF. The victim was using a hand phone when the group passed by, and for which reason they suspected him of passing information to the military.

As this developed, the MILF reiterated its call to the members of the BIFM/BIFF, who are not responsible for the upsurge of violence in Maguindanao, to return to the fold of the MILF.

Sheikh Muhammad Muntassir, chair of the MILF Da’wah Committee, told Luwaran that it is better for the BIFM members to reconsider their decision to form another organization, saying such move is a lifetime vocation and only the most dedicated and well-intentioned can endure.

“Better for them to learn from the lessons of Afghanistan, and Iraq where the extremists did not last long. Where are the extremists in Iraq; they are long gone?” he added.

He called on the group to study well the history of Islam especially how the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) scored victory over the Quraish in Mecca.

He described this victory as the result of the genius combinations of many factors, military, political, psychological, diplomatic, and people power.

“There is no shortcut to achieving victory; it is always hard and long,” he explained.

GPH, MILF end talks with progress, commit to solve problems

Posted on Monday, 13 August, 2012 - 12:58

Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 13 – With strengthened resolve to end the decades-old armed conflict in Mindanao, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) successfully concluded last Saturday their 30th round of formal exploratory talks here with both sides committing to understand problems and find solutions.

“I think I reflect the position of this particular administration of the Republic of the Philippines in saying that we are fully committed to understand the problem, first and foremost. And second, to try to find solutions with you – not unilaterally, but with you, in order to bring about this kind of justice that we want,” GPH panel chair Dean Marvic Leonen said in his closing statement.

Leonen was joined by panel members Miriam Coronel Ferrer, Senen Bacani, Yasmin Busran-Lao and Hamid Barra. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles along with Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor in-charge Mujiv Hataman also joined the last day of the talks as observers.

“Let me assure everyone, especially the government, that MILF is a reliable partner in peace making. And we are also a reliable partner in confronting the challenges ahead of us because one of the reasons is that we have the support of our people. And we know what we are doing now is not against what it was supposed to be – a good approach in solving the problem in Mindanao.”

In their joint statement, the panels “organized their respective Technical Working Groups (TWGs) on Power-Sharing and Wealth-Sharing. Both TWGs discussed and reached consensus on some issues on power sharing and revenue generation and wealth sharing arrangements.”

“The Parties note the progress in the discussion on a framework agreement,” it said, adding that both sides agreed to meet again in late August, 2012.

The statement also said that the parties “condemn the senseless attacks of the so-called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFF-BIFM), as well as the violent acts of lawless elements in several areas in Mindanao.”

“The GPH and the MILF denounce these aggressions or dirty spoiling by groups who will do everything to derail the peace process. The Parties will work together to ensure that these spoilers will not succeed as the Parties continue to push forward to bring just and lasting peace to our peoples and communities,” it added.Power and wealth-sharingAmong the most difficult issues being dealt with on the table are power-sharing and wealth-sharing which are laid out in the Decision Points on Principles signed by both parties in April this year.TWGs for each panel were created to delve into the details of power-sharing and wealth-sharing and flesh out issues.Power-sharing has three items: reserved powers for the National Government, exclusive powers for the new political entity (NPE) which will replace the ARMM, and concurrent powers shared by the National Government and the NPE. Reserved powers of the National Government include defense and external security, foreign policy, coinage and monetary policy, among others.Meanwhile, wealth creation (or revenue generation and sourcing) is important to ensure fiscal autonomy of the NPE with capacity to have its own sources of revenues.

Spoilers in peace process

Both parties slammed the violent acts perpetrated by the BIFF-BIFM in various towns in Maguindanao and North Cotabato, and committed to ensure that these spoilers in the peace process will not succeed.

“It is our common knowledge that the spoilers are doing their part in trying to make the peace process very hard for us. There was sabotage on on-going MILF-Government peace negotiations,” Iqbal said.

Deles, in an earlier statement, underlined that the lawless group, not being part of the MILF, is not covered by any ceasefire agreement.

“This act of aggression of the BIFM is meant to derail the peace process between the government and the MILF. We assure the public that these incidents will not affect the substantial gains that we have carefully and persistently built with our counterparts, foremost of which is the ceasefire mechanism that continues to hold on the ground and kept the peace for our communities,” she stated.

Next talks in late August

Leonen said that the GPH panel will return to the negotiating table “in two weeks’ time, more ready to engage the MILF, with respect to the most contentious issues that we have identified so far.”

He reiterated that "President Benigno Aquino III is very much involved, very much knowledgeable about all the issues that we discussed across this table."

Both parties expressed their gratitude to the President for his commitment to the Mindanao peace process, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak for his continued support in the facilitation of the GPH-MILF peace talks, and to the members of the MILF Central Committee chaired by Al Haj Murad Ebrahim for their continued commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Bangsamoro question.

They likewise thanked the members of the International Contact Group composed of representatives from Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Conciliation Resources, Muhammadiyah, and The Asia Foundation. #

Government punitive action against BIFF continues

August 16, 2012 – The Government of the Philippines (GPH) continues its punitive actions against the so-called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters - Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFF – BIFM) in some towns of Maguindanao.

This was prompted by the simultaneous attacks at around 11:20pm on August 5, 2012, of the BIFF – BIFM on government military installations and detachments situated along the national highway from Barangay Bagan in Talayan to Barangay Kauran in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, and in Barangay Midsayap, Midsayap, Cotabato Province.

BIFF staged the attacks barely two days prior to the resumption of the 4-Day peace negotiations between the GPH and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Government and MILF Peace Panels reached significant progress and consensus during the negotiation, proving their statements that the unprovoked but coordinated attack of the so-called BIFF would not have adverse effects to the peace process.

Sporadic clashes ensued between the government security forces against the elements of BIFF at uphill of Talayan and Shariff Aguak. Casualties were reported on both sides and thousands of innocent civilians were displaced.

Government claimed the BIFF fighters had been driven out from their lair at the uphill area of Talayan.

The BIFF had dispersed its forces but the government is bent to pursue surgical operations.

Meantime, the effective ceasefire mechanisms of the GPH – MILF Peace Process are closely working on coordination to ensure that the punitive actions will not affect the ceasefire and the peace process.

PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Terrorizing and detaining civilian families of NPA Red Fighters are serious violations of the international rules of war

Ka EfrenNDFP-FarSouth Mindanao Region12 August 2012

On August 6, 2012, in Brgy Daligasaw, Santa Maria, Davao del Sur, the 39th IB under the command of Lt. Col. Norman Zuniega arrested and forcibly detained Lindy Dawang, 21, a member of the Blaan tribe and the wife of a an NPA Red fighter. Lindy, who is six months pregnant had no other recourse but to go with the 39th IB soldiers who insisted she is an NPA surrenderee. The 39th IB did not present any warrant of arrest. They brought her to the battalion headquarters in Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur and, according to the military’s press statement is “undergoing interrogation”.

Again the following day, on August 7, in Brgy San Isidro, Sta Maria, Davao del Sur, another Blaan native named Tayet “Aying” Magwan 27, was arrested by the 39th IB and also brought to the battalion headquarters with her two-year old child. Aying had just arrived from Malapatan, Sarangani Province, after having fled from the 73rd IB’s continuous harassment simply because she is known as the wife of an NPA guerilla. This time, she was taken without a warrant of arrest, brought to the military camp and held in captivity for three days. The indigenous communities fear that like Lindy, she is also undergoing interrogation and possibly torture.

The NDF-FarSouth Mindanao Region condemns in the strongest possible terms these vicious, relentless attacks of the AFP on civilians, especially women and children. Lindy Dawan and Aying Magwan are innocent, are not members of the NPA and are ordinary citizens of the state, (in the same way that the families of AFP soldiers are). As such, they and their children must be accorded their rights as citizens, as human beings and as women and children. The 39th IB and the 73rd IB of the 10th Infantry Division have no legal and moral bases whatsoever to detain, interrogate and terrorize them just because they are the wives of NPA Red fighters. This is a serious violation of the rules of war as stipulated in the Geneva Conventions, the CARHR-IHL and the United Nations’ rights of children.

In its desperate effort to gather intelligence information and coerce the NPAs into giving up their cause, the 39th IB in Davao del Sur has resorted to pressuring and terrorizing the wives and children of NPA guerillas who are traumatized and suffer intense misery and pain. If this is Oplan Bayanihan’s concept of “winning the people’s hearts and minds,” then the AFP is practically digging its own grave. The AFP will never be able to win the war through coercion, psywar, and dirty tricks, especially on the women and children.

The NDF-FSMR demands that the 39th IB under Lt. Col. Norman Zuniega must be held accountable for this flagrant and continuing attack on the women and children. The 39th IB must also pay for whatever damages incurred , including hospital and medical bills and other expenses as a result of the trauma inflicted. Most of all, we demand that the 39th IB and its chain of command be meted the necessary disciplinary action as stipulated in the international rules of war of which the Philippine Government is a signatory.